Fingerprinting of heavy metal and microbial contamination uncovers the unprecedented scale of water pollution and its implication on human health around transboundary Hudiara drain in South Asia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2023.103040
• Publication Date: 2023-02-09T09:33:39Z
• Authors: Zainab Nasir; Ambreen Sabir; Hafiz Muhammad Sa...; Muhammad Usman As...; Muhammad Farhan K...; Muhammad Burhan K...; Zonaira Khalid; Amna Tahir; Fatima Arshad; Hafiz Gohar Ejaz; Saneela Ashraf; Sheikha Hina Liaqat; Huma Khawar; Risham Hussain; Muhammad Umer Sultan; Imran Afzal; Sadia Hamera; Numrah Nisar; Shomaila Sikandar; Safee Ullah Chaud...
• Keywords: Mercury

Environment and health hazards posed by the contamination of existing underground water resources are amongst leading anthropogenic challenges in South Asia. One such major environmental hazard is transnational wastewater drain – Hudiara, which degrading quality underlying aquifers. Towards a spatiotemporal assessment Hudiara's drinking from its adjoining areas, total 56 42 samples were obtained over seven months. Analysis data revealed complex interplay geogenic factors HM burden to high factor(CF) (>6 for Mercury >150 Arsenic water) heavy metal pollution index(HPI) (>100 9 metals). Moreover, risk assessment(HRA) scores (>1 Arsenic, Mercury, Chromium, Lead, Cadmium, Copper) indicated unprecedented scale contamination. A concomitant public survey conducted surrounding population reported prevalence gastrointestinal diseases (40%), chronic obstructive pulmonary (COPD) (38.7%), dermatitis (34%), bone deformities (31%), hepatic disorders (12%). Lastly, 16S rRNA sequences Hudiara submitted Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) point mutations potentially found confer antimicrobial resistance (AMR) against three classes drugs including aminoglycosides, peptides, tetracyclines. Taken together, this pilot study attempts uncover along transboundary thus highlighting critical need international regulatory action towards ameliorating catastrophic effects on environment.